What makes a city truly shine is the neighborhoods where everyday life feels vibrant and welcoming. These are the streets where culture spills from galleries and music venues, where food is affordable and diverse, and where communities create a sense of belonging.
They’re proof that even in the face of rising costs and constant change, local character and creativity endure. To celebrate that spirit, Time Out asked writers and editors worldwide to name the districts that feel most alive in 2025: places where culture and community shape the rhythm of city life.
From hidden corners where Tokyo’s intellectuals gather to Naples’ narrow streets with laundry fluttering in the sun, click through the gallery to explore the neighborhoods that pulse at the heart of our cities.